Stories that showcased best of what we do
OUR AIM IS TO MAKE PUBLIC INTEREST NEWS INTERESTING TO THE PUBLIC
TODAY marks the start of Journalism Matters week 2020 – a seven-day period that highlights the vital role trusted news media journalism plays in our communities.
And here at North Wales Live, the North Wales Daily Post and the Mail, it is a cause very close to our hearts.
As brand editor of these established titles, I consider myself extremely lucky to lead a team of dedicated journalists who are passionate about what they do and the areas they serve.
From Pwllheli to Wrexham, we all live in these communities and have a vested interest in them – it is an honour and a privilege for us all to report on the issues that matter most to you.
Our aim is a simple one, to make public interest news interesting to the public.
We work extremely hard each and every day to bring you trusted news that matters most to you, all of which is delivered by trained journalists and vetted and checked by experienced content editors prior to publication.
And in a world where ‘fake news’ and misinformation is apparently becoming more and more common, I think it’s important that we have established news outlets such as ours who are regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) so you can have confidence that the content you’re reading is accurate.
However, we understand that this all means nothing without the incredible backing we receive from you the people of North Wales.
Thousands of you read our stories every day and from the bottom of my heart I would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support.
These days there are now more ways than ever to access our content online.
You can visit the website or download our free app – both of which are constantly updated with the latest stories seven days a week, 365 days a year.
You can also sign up to our free newsletter for the best stories delivered straight to your inbox.
I’ve picked out a small selection of stories that we’ve produced over the past year or so which showcases some of the best of what we do.
You’ll be hearing more from me about Journalism Matters Week in the coming days.
But in the meantime, below is a small sample of some of the most impactive stories we’ve produced over the past year and beyond – all introduced by our reporters in their own words.
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THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SCANDAL
WHEN Ruthin School Principal Toby Belfield was allowed to keep his job after sending flirtatious messages to teenage pupils, it set in train a Daily
Post investigation that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
It also prompted serious questions about governance and accountability at independent schools across Wales.
Mr Belfield, the outspoken head of
North Wales’ top boarding school, was initially suspended last May when the allegations first came to light – sparking a safeguarding investigation by the school, police and the council. But only Ruthin School’s governing body had the power to sack him – and in September he was ushered back to head up the school.
Furious, his main accuser 16-yearold Cat Hughes (below) contacted me directly having seen previous stories I’d written about Belfield’s controversial views.
She shared hundreds of Instagram messages sent to her by the married headteacher.
Days of painstaking investigations followed. Evidence gathering, trawling through screenshots and in-depth interviews were all needed to convince our lawyers we were ready to publish.
But we had to consider the controversial law that protects the anonymity of teachers when accused by pupils.
The lawyers feared we could fall foul of the untested law should Mr Belfield subsequently face a criminal investigation.
When we finally published in September – his identity (and with it the school’s) was withheld much to our frustration.
The following days saw us reveal messages to other pupils along with anonymous interviews with the girls concerned.
Sir clung on to his job but our investigations set alarm bells ringing in the corridors of power.
In November, inspectors carried out unannounced visits to the school culminating in two damning reports highlighting major safeguarding concerns.
Then the Welsh Government warned the school to sack him or face possible closure.
The lawyers were now comfortable with naming Mr Belfield and he was finally unmasked in January – followed by a full exclusive interview with Cat.
Days later, he was sacked.
The exclusive investigation earned the Daily Post many plaudits.
Never did we lose sight age.
BY KELLY WILLIAMS of
THE HEALTH BOARD’S ‘MARBELLA MAN’
Cat’s
WHEN I heard consultant Phillip Burns was being paid £1,990 a day as a consultant by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board it immediately raised my news antennae.
However, on discovering he worked from his home in Marbella one day a week I knew it was a special story.
The scandal of his cushy deal, with a board in special measures for among other things failing to address financial issues, became a national story.
BY JEZ HEMMING
OUR COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS
EVERY Saturday, near the start of since the pandemic, North Wales Live has published a heat map showing how coronavirus was increasing in different areas across Wales.
It allowed the public to see what was happening week to week, where the virus was spiking and where there were low levels, as the Covid-19 emergency continued.
In addition it kept people informed on the tragic death toll, while giving the latest opinion and advice from Public Health Wales chiefs.
STEVE BAGNALL
THE CHANGING FACE OF OUR COMMUNITIES
WHILE the vital role of local government has been reinforced as councils maintained services during the crazy months of spring, community cohesion was also stretched as many urged action on an issue which has never truly gone away.
Recent months have seen community leaders, especially in the west, highlight concerns that their communities are changing before their very eyes as second home sales show no signs of slowing down as city dwellers snap up second homes in a bid to escape the rat race with urban office dwelling not the necessity it once was.
And while second homes are not a unique issue to north Wales, the added dimension of the Welsh language is, with community activists marching 20 miles to make their feelings known as councillors unanimously backed calls to clamp down before it’s too late.
High profile efforts by the likes of Huw Edwards have also been replicated here, with demands on developers to respect decades if not centuries old indigenous Welsh names, with concerns over “over tourism” likely to ravage on over coming years with even a charge to climb Snowdon suggested by frustrated locals with the future of foreign travel remaining up in the air.
COVID-19’S IMPACT BEYOND THE STATISTICS
DURING times of hardship, it’s important – more than ever, to represent the communities that we serve.
Although the data available and the statistics could have told their own story about coronavirus’ impact on our communities, I felt it was essential to show the human impact behind the numbers.
I’ve been fortunate enough to write a few articles that capture various individuals’ feelings, experiences, concerns and hopes for the future, bringing a more relatable content to our readers.
The two examples below are the first of many that focused on various North Wales towns and villages during lockdown.
In my mind, they show the fragility of our day-to-day life and how quickly things can change, but also, amid the chaos, it shows that community spirit continues to thrive. Although journalism is intended to inform people about the global situation, I think it’s important that it documents the human experience and strength during these unprecedented times as well.